forum Revenge of The Forgotten// Private OxO with @FanfictionFanatic

Started July 04, 2021 by @StarkSpangledMayflower_Mad_Elder

tune

“Bonne nuit.” Emmeline nodded, with that smile still on her face as she walked out of his room and headed to hers. Though she wasn't really as tired as she would have been from a long day of work and casting a few spells, aside from a slight headache. She assumed it was the excitement of finally being able to do something to find her Maman… As well as the opportunity to follow in her mother's work: fixing broken kingdoms.

She wasn't sure when she had managed to fall asleep but she awoke fairly early, just as the rising sun laid a beam of light across her eyes. Not the most pleasant way to wake up but considering what was awaiting her, she wasn't bothered. She got out of bed, cast a quick simple spell to clean herself up and make sure she was presentable. Once that was done, she grabbed her basket and headed down to the tavern to meet Rhysand so they could plan for their adventure.

The bed was firmer that Rhysand expected but he was tired and fell asleep pretty quickly. Unsure how, but he woke up on the floor, sitting against his bed but not on it. Rhysand groaned and stood up, stretching and doing a few basic exercises to wake up even more. A knock on his door and a bar maid was there with a bowl of water and a woolen towel. He quickly washed his face and teeth, then grabbed all his stuff to go downstairs.

The smell of fresh baked bread and butter made his mouth water, he didn't have anything to eat since last night and it was simply too entrancing to resist. Like a moth to a flame, Rhysand sat at the bar and asked for the bread and butter along with the biggest cup of tea they offered. He saw Emmeline coming down the stairs and waved, clearing the seat beside him of his stuff take room for her.

Emmeline couldn't help but smile as she saw Rhys waving her over. “Good morning.” she said as she sat down beside him and placing a simple order for her own breakfast. “Did you sleep well?” she asked just to be polite, though she was still very eager to get started on their quest. But she knew enough about the virtue of patience and considered herself a decent enough actress.

"Well enough, though I'm not sure how I got onto the floor when I remember going to sleep on the bed." He half smiled. Rhys finished his breakfast and took out a paper and pencil from his bag. "I know we need food and water but what else? You look to be a healer so any herbs or whatever you need? We might as well get a tent, depending on how fast our horses are, we may have to camp out in the forest at times." Rhys scribbled a few things on the list while he spoke, making small notes here and there.

Emmeline chuckled a little at the unusual position he woke up in. “Well, the beds here aren't always the most comfortable but they serve their purpose. I doubt many would be able to tell the difference.” she teased. “Don’t underestimate me. I do know some healing but my skills are not limited to that. Most of what I need is back at my home. It shouldn't take long for me to gather it all.” she assured him with a confident smirk. “I have a wagon as well… and it doesn't necessarily need horses, depending on how fast you want to go.”

"I see i have befriended a seemingly simple girl. Who are you strange lady?" Rhys matched her teasing tone and licked his lip. "A magical wagon I see. I would still get a horse, easier to move on and you can fall asleep on one if you absolutely have to. Besides, even though Etoile was one of the horses from my kingdom that had been there since I was a child, she is far too slow." He sighed

Emmeline laughed a little. “The keyword there is “seemingly”. But that has been a very helpful guise to take these days.” she admitted softly. “Of course. There are times when a good horse is much more valuable and maneuverable.” she nodded in agreement. “As I said, Arron the stableman should be able to help you with trading your horse for a good fast steed. I may not know him very well but I can take you to him.”

"Of course, once you are finished with your breakfast, we can head out." He smiled. Rhys allowed his partner to finish his meal in silence as he took out a leather bound book from his bag and started thumbing through the pages. Occasionally, he would pause and write something down on the piece of paper right next to him.

Emmeline nodded slightly, half in agreement with those terms… but half in annoyance as well as it almost felt like he was giving her permission to eat. Just like a royal… She let out a soft slow breath to take her mind off that thought. Right now, they needed each other to achieve their goals so it was unlikely that he actually intended his words to sound that way.
In her excitement to plan, as well as getting lost in the conversation, she hadn't actually noticed when her meal had been served. Her mind was still making her own lists of things to bring as she ate. Though the book Rhysand was studying did catch her interest but she turned away from those thoughts. There would be time for those questions later.

It was pretty early in the morning, the sun was shining brightly but there were a lot more people walking around now than there were when he woke up. Rhys watched as more of the Inn's guests came down the stairs to the tavern and sat around the many wooden tables, yawning and conversing with others around. It was then that a small group of about 4 people came into the tavern with small instruments and sat in the corner, setting up. Rhysand watched them curiously, his kingdom had musicians one special occasions but he only ever saw them playing music. The musicians set everything up and started playing a soft melody that reminded Rhysand of a lady standing a field of tall grass, near the sea, as the wind tousled her hair and made her dress fly. He set down his book, covered with runes and drawings, and leaned back in the barstool, listening to them play.

Emmeline glanced up at the musicians for a moment as they tuned their instruments before playing. “I didn't know they started this early.” she commented softly, not wanting to interrupt them. She had seen musicians set up before so there wasn't much novelty in that but since she didn't come to this tavern often or this early… The music was soft, beautiful, easy to listen to but not too distracting. Perfect for an early morning crowd.
She glanced over at Rhysand again and raised a brow as she noticed the lettering in his book. “What kind of runes are those?” she couldn't help but ask.

"I'm not sure. This was my mother's journal. She taught me 2 of the languages used in this book but never taught me how to read runes. I asked Hades about ut the last time I saw him and all he did was grin and send me away with Aurilla. I'm hoping my mother's home in the kingdom of the Beast will hold answers, or at least a cipher." He sighed. Most of the runes had solid lines but there were some that had curves and squiggles. It threw him off a lot. Rhysand knew he couldn't ask his father about it, he wasn't supposed to have that book in the first place.

(Lowkey want to add another character that is a kid of a 'good guy' and make them evil too)

“Hades?” she asked in surprise but kept her voice low enough that it wouldn't carry. “What kind of business could you have with him?” Not many people she knew of would risk even associating themselves with the God of the Dead, and even more were too afraid to mention his name. Emmeline hummed a little and looked at the lettering a little closer. “I almost wonder if that's not Atlantean.” she suggested.

(That's cool. Who's the guy?)

(I have an oc that was the son of Rupunzel and Flynn who learned about his father's stories and left home to become a robin hood type person but he wouldn't be the best fit right now)

"Desperate cry for help and a promise of revenge. He helped me and I promised to care for his ward Aurilla. Hades will help me get my revenge so long as I care for Aurilla and treat her as my blood." He explained. "She is like a sister to me." A ghost of a smile appeared on Rhysand's face as he remembered the person he was closest to. "Atlantean? I've never heard of those runes, nor have I seen them anywhere. Maybe thats what this is." He responded to her statement.

(He definitely sounds interesting. If you want to put him in the story, that's good with me.)

Emmeline nodded with an understanding chuckle as she finished her meal. “That doesn't surprise me. Desperate people always did attract attention from him.” Or those like him. She hummed a little as he explained about Aurilla. “I didn't know that he had a recent ward… but she must be very interesting.” She shrugged at his comment. “It’s possible. My Maman told me she’d been there once or twice but she never taught me the language… But, I think, this looks like an “A” in that lettering.” she sighed a little. “If you really want to be sure, it’ll be difficult to get to that city.”

"Aurilla is an angel. She comes to the surface when I summon her with her potion. That's what I was reaching for when we first met. She can be a bit…much at times but she means well." Rhysand frowned and looked at his book more closely. "King Milo did come visit the seaward kingdom some time ago for business and I heard Queen Kida came too, wanting to trade for some English books for their kingdom. Maybe they brought books with runes? We could go check that place out as well ."

Emmeline raised a brow but nodded slightly. “Is she mortal or did Hades actually give her some… real skills?” she asked, intrigued by the way he could call on her. “I hope they did. They've always been a little secretive… But I heard that King Milo was mocked before he found the kingdom. It's possible he brought some of their knowledge back to show he was right.” she theorized. “But I wouldn't be surprised if the information was exclusive to certain people.”

"She is half mortal, im not sure what the other half of her is but Jades seems to adore her. She has healing abilities for the most part but Hades also blessed her with the ability to bring up an army of the dead and communicate with them. I have never seen her bring up the army but she tells me that the last time she did that, she fell asleep for 2 months to regain her power." He explained. Rhysand watched Emmeline talk about her theories for King Milo's business trip with an understanding look on his face. If she was right, it would be difficult for them to get their hands on something like that. "If that is the case, then he probably gave any and all information to people to he trusts will only use them for knowledge and not to make a fortune off of. I guess that will be our first stop on our adventure. I brought everything down with me when I woke up. After breakfast, are you ready to go or will you need to go back to you room and get your equipment?"

“Really? I never thought he would admire much of anyone. He's not known for being a people person.” she smirked briefly. “Though this Aurilla sounds like a very fortunate and interesting girl. If the opportunity comes up, I’d like to meet her.” she admitted. She scoffed lightly but nodded at his reply. “Very possible. Though I haven't met too many people who weren't motivated by money in some regard or another. Or if they want knowledge, they want it for themselves.” she shook her head with a soft sigh. “No one is as altruistic as they seem to be.”

"Aurilla can come up if you would like her company in the kingdom." Rhysand offered. Aurilla would seem to like Emmeline and if they got the chance, she would try to befriend the young witch. Rhysand stretched and let out a short yawn, looking slightly embarrassed afterwards. "Seems I didnt get much rest. Regardless, you are right. I have yet to meet one person, of this world, who isn't motivated by money. At the moment I too am motivated by money, I would like to repair my kingdom. I don't think I would be out here if not for my needs."

“That would be nice.” she admitted softly with a small smile. She didn't want to impose a meeting on either of them but she was very interested in the possibility of knowing the, apparently, favored ward of Hades. Emmeline chuckled briefly but nodded at his comment about last night. “Well, considering how you woke up, I'm not too surprised. Though you can say that you have as of now. True, I have a job selling flowers and herbal remedies but I don't really do it for the money. Any money I earn I either save for emergencies or travel, or spend on things I can't make myself.” she told him with a small shrug. Even though I haven't done much traveling lately… But that's about to change. “Besides, I consider your reasoning to be a more just need for money. Fixing your kingdom is a selfless desire. I can respect that.”

"Selfless or not, I intend to wreak havoc on those who left us in the cold when we asked for help. So money and revenge, two things that motivate a person to their highest extent." Rhysand grew quiet as he turned back to his book. He let Emmeline eat in peace, knowing that more conversation would only make them leave at a later time. While she ate, Rhysand looked to the back of the book where his mother left a small message for him. It seemed to be the last thing she gave him, a simple sequence of dots which, to the unknowing person, would look like a mistake on paper but to Rhysand, it was his mother telling him how much she loved him and that she was sorry she couldn't see him grow up.

Emmeline hummed softly with an understanding nod, her eyes glimmering dangerously for a moment before she went back to finishing her meal. She wouldn't deny that she wanted revenge on that royal brat, but more than that she wanted her Maman to get the recognition she deserved as well as for her to no longer be treated as a cruel witch. The Enchantress had blessed and cursed multiple kingdoms before his. It just turned out that one would be the most well-known for her interference.

The horses were tied outside and their bags packed in Emmeline's wagon, the last thing they needed was a map of the sea kingdom and some empty bags and bottles. At the present moment, Rhysand was arguing with a merchant, who was trying to get home, about his prices. "5 gold prices for 20 simple glass vials? Each one is smaller than my smallest finger!"

"Sir! These are made from the strongest glass and forged in dragonflies, they are enchanted to never break!"

"I only need basic ones to collect liquids in! Not fancy vials made from the blood of gorgons or the teeth of a basilisk! Something plain!"

"I will offer you the last of my glass vials for 15 silver prices. 30 vials for 15 silver pieces."

"10 silver and 7 copper. Thank you." The merchant tried to complain but Rhysand looked at him and grabbed his collar. "You want to sell them, I want to buy them. Deal or no deal?" The merchant nodded slowly, prompting Rhysand to let go of him. He packed the vials in a wooden box with some goosefeathers to keep them safe and gave it to Rhysand, who tipped his new hat ar the man and left the store to where Emmeline was waiting.

It was late afternoon but still busier than most days. At this point, many people were closing up their stores to go home but today, Rhysand saw excitement in the way people were walking in and out of the stores. "Aah, so midsummer's festival is approaching. Wonderful." He sighed and set the box of vials in the wagon, grabbing his bag and undying the horses. Etoile was a king's mare so she was sold for a very handsome prize to the town's wealthiest merchant. He bought it as a gift for his daughter. In return, he paid them with gold and gave them two Arabian horses as a gift. Rhysand bellies the horses were acquired in an unlawful way but they needed fast horses and these ones were free. "Shall we?" He asked his partner, a playful smirk crawling up his face.

Emmeline stood diligently outside the building, watching their new horses and belongings as Rhysand bartered for the vials. As much as she hated feeling like a helpless damsel, she knew there was not much for her to do in that store, since she didn't need anything from the salesman and someone needed to at least pretend to keep an eye on things.
Though she personally only carried three bags, including her satchel, it hadn't taken her very long to pack up almost everything from her home, except for most of her mother's belongings… not that there were many of those left. If she had been a little better at not getting tongue-tied on that somewhat silly spell she might have been able to get everything into one bag. But as it was having three did appear more normal for travel.
She nodded briefly at his comment as he joined her. “Mhm. It's quite a sight when you can manage to attend any of the seasonal festivals.” she said, looking at all the people preparing for the event. She was just a little bit jealous of them since she hadn't gone to any for a few years. But she had more important things to do right now. She smiled coyly at the question. “Oui. Let us begin.”